Overcoming internalized queerphobia was my biggest obstacle in coming out as a bi trans woman. Growing up it was ingrained in me that queerness was bad and weird, or something to mock. I was often made fun of when I was young for being effeminate, and the shame I internalized from this led me to wish I was more masculine. Though I would still challenge gender roles and expectations often. I also found myself gravitating towards queer women and trans men for friendship and community. Unfortunately, I couldn’t extend that same acceptance and love towards my own queerness. Even after explicitly realizing I was trans - when a friend had done my makeup and I found myself unable to stop smiling at the photos, thinking to myself “girl, you are definitely trans” - I still repressed this for years. Finally meeting and seeing other trans women simply existing helped give me the courage to be who I want to be. Coming out to yourself can be terrifying at first, but it is so incredibly liberating.